There’s a lot of diets out there that all claim to improve one’s health. Do any of them have true merit in the goal of leading a healthier lifestyle?

It's true - there are a lot of diets out there. They've done study after study trying to compare different diet plans and see which one is "THE BEST". What they find? -The diet that works is the one you can stick with.

Whether paleo, gluten free, or low-carb, the most important thing is that it's a sustainable diet that you enjoy and can stick with. This is why diets that focus on extreme weight loss or cleansing aren't very useful long-term. As soon as you finish your "detox", you return back to your regular habits, and the weight comes back.

The diets that focus on reducing processed foods and added sugars, while adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole foods are the ones that work best for most people.

One other note is that a simple way to make any diet more effective is to also increase your exercise (even by a small amount!) Studies have shown that people find it easier to regulate their energy intake if they have a higher energy expenditure (i.e., they burn more calories throughout the day). So get moving!